I can't believe are final few days at the base have come to an end and the goodbyes have already started. It is amazing how much of a family we have become with all of the people in the community and especially the ones we have been working with at the YWAM base. I am really sad to see another amazing global trip come to an end.
When we arrived home from Santos we decided that taking Marcello and his wife Vera, as well as Thiago and his wife Ellen to go see their favorite Sao Paulo soccer team play live. Matt, my intern and I, began the day with Thiago spending two hours on the bumpiest bus ride of our lives into downtown Sao Paulo. The trains were on strike that day so we doubled our trip by having to take the bus. We had to stand in line amongst many crazy soccer fans and battle through trying to buy 12 tickets to the game. I am glad that we bought tickets ahead of time because when we made it to the game, the line up was about a km long. We made the trek back to the base, just in time to pick everyone up and do it all over again, at least the second time the train was back in action.
I have never seen a group of more excited fans, than those of Brazil. The streets were packed, and people were selling food and yelling Portuguese at as as we walked by. Venders were throwing jerseys and flags in our faces, and police stood with huge shot guns everywhere. Definitely a different scene then what you would see in Canada. The game itself was insane. The European games that you see on TV that are crazy, are nothing compared to this league. The fans were chanting, dancing and singing the whole time, and when our team scored (twice) the entire place went wild. The look on Marcello and Thaigo's faces the entire time were priceless. They were so excited to be there and so grateful that we were able to do that for them!
Thursday we continued working on the soccer field that we laid down, and even did some rain dances to pray for rain. The grass that we laid is dying for rain, but luckily it rained that night and is starting to look better.
Last night we hosted a goodbye party for the people at the base and some of the local kids that we have gotten to know pretty well. It was a huge hit. We made hot dogs, and had watermelon, pineapple, chips, cookies and popcorn. Everyone was really excited and we had a great time. We ended the night playing Xbox Kinect, dance central which is this crazy game where two people battle dance routines. It was so so fun! It was a great way to end our time here.
Today was the final day of the soccer tournament that we have been helping out with. The kids have improved so much and it was really exciting to watch them all battle for gold. All of the medals that were donated now have homes in many of the hard working kids that we have been working with. Handing out medals to such deserving kids was amazing. After we were invited into one of the homes of the kids we met, and were surprised with another huge going away party. Their were homemade posters, and a huge cake. There were also strobe lights and music. Another great party!
Saying goodbye has been awful so far. I just cant believe how many amazing people we have met, and how generous everyone has been to us. Even when they do not have a lot to give us, they come up with something amazing. We are so lucky to have met so many wonderful people.
As for us, we are heading to UbaTuba tomorrow for our 3 day debrief and then we are heading home on Thursday. I have learned so much from the people and the Brazilian culture and I cant wait to share my pictures and stories with everyone at home.
Thank you so much for your beautiful comments and for all of the support. It definitly helps hearing your kind works and encouragement during the hard days! I really appreciate it.
Mrs. Brown, Derek showed me your email and thank you so much! I am glad that you have been able to follow our adventures through my blog!
Love you all xoxo
Tory
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Happy Birthday Daddy!!
Hi Papa Bear!
Sorry I am missing your birthday again, but I am sending you a huge birthday hug from Brazil!
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear daddy happy birthday to you!! Hope you have a great week in Jasper! Miss you and cant wait to see you
xoxo
I am off to the market to buy everything for the goodbye party that we are hosting at the base tonight for the kids in the community and the people at the base! I will blog with an update soon!
Love you all
Tor :)
Sorry I am missing your birthday again, but I am sending you a huge birthday hug from Brazil!
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear daddy happy birthday to you!! Hope you have a great week in Jasper! Miss you and cant wait to see you
xoxo
I am off to the market to buy everything for the goodbye party that we are hosting at the base tonight for the kids in the community and the people at the base! I will blog with an update soon!
Love you all
Tor :)
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Santos!
Hi friends and family!
We have had a busy few days that have been fantastic. One of the main projects that has been in the long term plan for this YWAM base for the past few years has been to create a new soccer field to encourage the local children and youth to focus their attention on something that could potentially be an out for them. Last years global team made the first cuts into the ground, that is now perfectly leveled, and now because of us, covered in beautiful grass. We spent about three hours on Friday hauling huge rolls of grass off of a truck, and slowly covering the dirt with sod. As we laid each layer, the local kids who were watching, were rolling on the grass and giggling. Something that we have all done as kids, but for these little ones, the feeling of grass beneath their feet, and on their backs while they were rolling was a brand new sensation! They were so excited, and it was amazing to see.
After we ran the soccer camps all day Saturday, and cheered on the different teams of local kids while they continued playing in their soccer tournament, we piled into two small cars and made our way to Santos, Sao Paulo. We have been lucky enough to meet so many amazing new people who are in and out of this base all of the time. One girl in particular is the daughter of a Pastor from Santos, and her name is Fernando. She is a fifteen year old girl who we have become really great friends with. The first time we met her, three weeks ago, she told us all about her church and how she would love for us to come visit. We were able to go visit, and had no idea what our three day visit would have in store for us. When we arrived it was late Saturday night. We pulled up to a garage door that opened to a church filled with people. I have never recieved so many hugs and kisses in my entire life. These people were so excited to see us, and kept thanking us for coming. Their was a huge feast prepared for us, and we later found out that a young lady from the church graciously gave up her house for us for the days that we were there. We were honestly treated like royalty, it was amazing! When we arrived at the house that we were staying at, their was a bed made up for each of us. Someone knocked on the door and arrived with a huge chocolate cake, and later another lady showed up with homemade truffles. It was never ending!
On Sunday we were taken on a tour of the city of Sao Vincent (a neighborhood to Santos). They took us to a beautiful beach, and we spent the day in the Atlantic Ocean. We had a great time, and so many people from the church wanted to join us for the day. We went back to the church for all of our meals. The food was amazing, we were so spoiled.We attended church Sunday night and it was amazing. It was a huge production with different dances, and a rock band. The sermon was all in Portuguese and even though I didn't understand a single word, I was completely captivated. I kept imagining what Fernandas dad was saying, and was imagining that he was preaching about all of the injustices that can be found in Brazil, and all of the people who are struggling. There was a moment when he called up anyone who needed extra prayers. half of the church stood at the front of the church, crying their eyes out. It was incredibly emotional seeing grown men crying. I was trying to put myself in their shoes and imagine what they had been through. It was really powerful.
On Monday we were shown the other side of the city. Just like Sao Paulo and Francisco Morato, their are really nice areas, and areas that have more poverty than anything that I have ever seen. We traveled through the "flavelas" (poor communities with homes built right on top of each other). We stopped in and visited a day care, one that accepts children from these poor communities to help support their parents while they look for employment. These little ones are fed three meals a day, because at home they will receive nothing to eat. I fell in love with a baby boy (what else is new) and just cuddled him in my arms until he fell asleep. Just thinking about these kids futures is really sad.
We visited two other schools as well. It is always interesting to see how the teachers teach with such few
resources. It looked like they were doing an amazing job with what they had which was nice to see.
The final flavela that we saw was the worst of all. Their is a section of these homes that are built on stilts over a huge swamp. The smell coming from these homes and the infested water was horrible, and the garbage being thrown from the windows of these homes, floating in the water, and piling up was disgusting. In the distance I saw a wild horse in the water, saw a lady washing her dishes in this water, and kids fishing for dinner out of this water. I imagine that their is not plumbing in these homes, so I can only imagine where all of the waste goes. Apparently kids swim in this swamp as well, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. We learned that there are so many people living in these areas, and the lack of space resulted in this community being built. The homes look like they could collapse any minute, and apparently during rain storms, this is a common sight. The wooden stilts are rotting, and the thin pieces of scrap materials used as walls are slowly falling. These areas are filled with disease and violence, and very little hope is felt by the people. There is one boat that is used to transport people back and forth to their homes. Words are not enough to describe what this place is like. Pictures are needed for you to truly understand. It is moments like these that I wish everyone that I know could have been there with me so realize how insanely lucky we are to be where we are from. To have a home that is not going to collapse into a deep swamp in a rain storm. To have water that is safe to drink, swim in, and fish from. I just cannot believe how so many people in this world live. It blows my mind.
We had to leave that flavela in a hurry once the sun went down. We made our way back to the church where there was a huge suprise party organized for two of the girls on my team who are celebrating birthdays. There was pizza, and a Canada cake! So many people showed up for the party and it was amazing. I have never met a group of people who are more kind or more generous. Everything that they have (and for many that is not a lot) they gave to us. We we each given a little package at the end of a picture that they had taken of us with the beautiful welcome poster that they made for us. They gave us their church CD and many other small gifts. It just never ended! I am trying to think of a way that I can say thank you to them, or something that we can make as a team to send to them!
We have had an unbelievable few days and I cannot believe that we only have 4 more days here at the base before we take off on our next adventure, and soon head home. This has truly been an incredible experiance, for me, and I really hope for my entire team!
Missing you all and can't wait to see you soon!
Love love love
xox Tor
We have had a busy few days that have been fantastic. One of the main projects that has been in the long term plan for this YWAM base for the past few years has been to create a new soccer field to encourage the local children and youth to focus their attention on something that could potentially be an out for them. Last years global team made the first cuts into the ground, that is now perfectly leveled, and now because of us, covered in beautiful grass. We spent about three hours on Friday hauling huge rolls of grass off of a truck, and slowly covering the dirt with sod. As we laid each layer, the local kids who were watching, were rolling on the grass and giggling. Something that we have all done as kids, but for these little ones, the feeling of grass beneath their feet, and on their backs while they were rolling was a brand new sensation! They were so excited, and it was amazing to see.
After we ran the soccer camps all day Saturday, and cheered on the different teams of local kids while they continued playing in their soccer tournament, we piled into two small cars and made our way to Santos, Sao Paulo. We have been lucky enough to meet so many amazing new people who are in and out of this base all of the time. One girl in particular is the daughter of a Pastor from Santos, and her name is Fernando. She is a fifteen year old girl who we have become really great friends with. The first time we met her, three weeks ago, she told us all about her church and how she would love for us to come visit. We were able to go visit, and had no idea what our three day visit would have in store for us. When we arrived it was late Saturday night. We pulled up to a garage door that opened to a church filled with people. I have never recieved so many hugs and kisses in my entire life. These people were so excited to see us, and kept thanking us for coming. Their was a huge feast prepared for us, and we later found out that a young lady from the church graciously gave up her house for us for the days that we were there. We were honestly treated like royalty, it was amazing! When we arrived at the house that we were staying at, their was a bed made up for each of us. Someone knocked on the door and arrived with a huge chocolate cake, and later another lady showed up with homemade truffles. It was never ending!
On Sunday we were taken on a tour of the city of Sao Vincent (a neighborhood to Santos). They took us to a beautiful beach, and we spent the day in the Atlantic Ocean. We had a great time, and so many people from the church wanted to join us for the day. We went back to the church for all of our meals. The food was amazing, we were so spoiled.We attended church Sunday night and it was amazing. It was a huge production with different dances, and a rock band. The sermon was all in Portuguese and even though I didn't understand a single word, I was completely captivated. I kept imagining what Fernandas dad was saying, and was imagining that he was preaching about all of the injustices that can be found in Brazil, and all of the people who are struggling. There was a moment when he called up anyone who needed extra prayers. half of the church stood at the front of the church, crying their eyes out. It was incredibly emotional seeing grown men crying. I was trying to put myself in their shoes and imagine what they had been through. It was really powerful.
On Monday we were shown the other side of the city. Just like Sao Paulo and Francisco Morato, their are really nice areas, and areas that have more poverty than anything that I have ever seen. We traveled through the "flavelas" (poor communities with homes built right on top of each other). We stopped in and visited a day care, one that accepts children from these poor communities to help support their parents while they look for employment. These little ones are fed three meals a day, because at home they will receive nothing to eat. I fell in love with a baby boy (what else is new) and just cuddled him in my arms until he fell asleep. Just thinking about these kids futures is really sad.
We visited two other schools as well. It is always interesting to see how the teachers teach with such few
resources. It looked like they were doing an amazing job with what they had which was nice to see.
The final flavela that we saw was the worst of all. Their is a section of these homes that are built on stilts over a huge swamp. The smell coming from these homes and the infested water was horrible, and the garbage being thrown from the windows of these homes, floating in the water, and piling up was disgusting. In the distance I saw a wild horse in the water, saw a lady washing her dishes in this water, and kids fishing for dinner out of this water. I imagine that their is not plumbing in these homes, so I can only imagine where all of the waste goes. Apparently kids swim in this swamp as well, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. We learned that there are so many people living in these areas, and the lack of space resulted in this community being built. The homes look like they could collapse any minute, and apparently during rain storms, this is a common sight. The wooden stilts are rotting, and the thin pieces of scrap materials used as walls are slowly falling. These areas are filled with disease and violence, and very little hope is felt by the people. There is one boat that is used to transport people back and forth to their homes. Words are not enough to describe what this place is like. Pictures are needed for you to truly understand. It is moments like these that I wish everyone that I know could have been there with me so realize how insanely lucky we are to be where we are from. To have a home that is not going to collapse into a deep swamp in a rain storm. To have water that is safe to drink, swim in, and fish from. I just cannot believe how so many people in this world live. It blows my mind.
We had to leave that flavela in a hurry once the sun went down. We made our way back to the church where there was a huge suprise party organized for two of the girls on my team who are celebrating birthdays. There was pizza, and a Canada cake! So many people showed up for the party and it was amazing. I have never met a group of people who are more kind or more generous. Everything that they have (and for many that is not a lot) they gave to us. We we each given a little package at the end of a picture that they had taken of us with the beautiful welcome poster that they made for us. They gave us their church CD and many other small gifts. It just never ended! I am trying to think of a way that I can say thank you to them, or something that we can make as a team to send to them!
We have had an unbelievable few days and I cannot believe that we only have 4 more days here at the base before we take off on our next adventure, and soon head home. This has truly been an incredible experiance, for me, and I really hope for my entire team!
Missing you all and can't wait to see you soon!
Love love love
xox Tor
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Crackolange
Hi everyone,
Well where do I even start. Today has been one of the most powerful, yet devastating days out of all of my three trips. We were fortunate enough to have been taken on a personal tour of downtown Sao Paulo and definitely saw all of the ups and downs that this huge city has to offer. When I heard that Sao Paulo was home to 11 million, I couldn't even fathom how many people that was. We took an elevator up 32 stories and stood outside of the tallest building in the city. It felt like we were standing on top of the world, and for as far as I could see, and from all directions, tall sky scraper buildings, apartments, and homes filled every single empty space. Every little street was covered in people the size of ants, and the highways were bumper to bumper with cars, buses and trucks. I didn't understand what 11 million people looked like until I stood out in awe just staring at the city in front of me.
After we left the building (an old bank and now a memorial site for the city), Marcello and Thiago, our two contacts took us on an all day tour of the city that they both love so dearly. We learned about the history, and how far Brazil has come, but unfortunately by the looks of what I saw today, it still has a long long way to go. We walked through a huge cathedral, probably the most beautiful church I have ever seen. In the middle of the afternoon, the pews were filled with people crying and praying. Outside on the huge steps leading up to the church, were a few of the 11 thousand homeless people that call the city home. As we continued to walk, we learned about the corrupt government and how many of the decisions that are made in the huge parliament buildings that we saw, are made with only the rich in mind. Just outside of these influential buildings were people bathing and washing their clothes in a huge fountain, people sleeping on the sidewalks, seniors holding signs and begging for food and money, and what really hit home, a young couple sleeping and holding each other on the side of the road. So young, I am sure not much older than me, but just to think about the worries that they have every single day, and how they differ so greatly from my own was really really hard for me. It is just not fair! Why am I so lucky to be from such an amazing family, and have so many opportunities when there are so many people in this world who have absolutely nothing. A part of my felt really guilty for being responsible for bringing eight people to Brazil, each who paid so much money, when really that money could have gone to feeding so many people. I just kept reminding myself that us being here is doing more good than harm.
We made our way into a more dangerous part of town and ventured into the one road in the city commonly known as the "Crackolage" (The Land of the Crack). Just this past year the government declared a "clean-up" with the goal to get rid of as many addicts as possible. Marcello used the ananolgy of a tree with fruit. He explained that the governments idea of a clean-up was really only taking away the fruit, but until someone deals with the real roots of the tree, the real roots of the drug problems in Brazil, nothing is going to get better. As a part of the clean-up the government in Sao Paulo shipped away many of the addicts to other cities. Leaving them alone, and still reliant on crack-cocaine and other drugs. The police that now cover this street are enough to spread out anyone who remains to other cities in the area, but at night they all return, all homeless, and all in need of so much help. YWAM used to work closely with this population, but with the clean-up came rules and regulations making it difficult to help. All we could do today was walk through the streets, afraid of stepping on needles and glass, and sympathize with the people all around us using these awful drugs. Making eye-contact with these people really made me realize how they are human beings with a story, whose worth is just as great as my own. They are in need of so much help, and are so deeply trapped in a hole, that without help they will never be able to get out. Luckily for the the governments idea of help is shipping them farther away, out of sight out of mind I guess. Just disgusting!
Not far from the "crackolage" we ended our tour in a beautiful park, one of the only green spaces left in the entire city. Although green and beautiful, it was just as sad since this park is one of the of the only safe places for prostitution in the city. I learned today that this is another huge problem here. Both woman and men walked the park trying to support themselves or I am sure their babies and families back home, or waiting for them on a street corner. I can't even imagine having to prostitute myself in order to survive. My heart just ached for these people. Again I made contact with one of the young girls (or possibly a boy, its sometimes hard to tell) and put myself in her shoes. What if that were me? What if I felt that that was my only way to survive.
It may sounds terrible, and yes it was a really hard day and I am sitting here crying as I write this, but there is hope. Thiago and Marcello give me hope. They are two young men who have dedicated their lives to helping the ones who do not have a voice. The work that they do at YWAM has everything to do with helping these people who struggle so much every day. They give me hope that this place can only get better.
As sad as I am, and as devastated as a I feel for so many of the people in this country, I am a better person for seeing the things that I saw today. So many of these problems are going on in streets of our own, and it just reminded me that I can always do things to help, especially when I get home.
All of our other projects are going great. We began digging a soccer field and leveling it. It was so hard, and a job that would have been so easy with the right tools. Tomorrow we get to lay the grass on the field, and see the project that has been in the works for 5 years finally be finished. I cannot wait! The soccer camps are going great, and the kids look amazing in their new shorts, and jerseys! They are in the middle of a huge village tournament that we are helping run and ref. English classes are challenging and rewarding. They are slowly improving and today we helped set up a little store of gifts (all the donations that we brought) that the kids could buy with fake money that we made. They had to ask us in english how much the items cost, and have as much of a conversation with us as they could. They were so excited about all of their new school supplies and little toys!
All in all it is incredible here, and I learn so much everyday! I am missing you all like crazy and wish you were here! I could use some hugs!
Lots of love, and I hope all is well back home! See you soon
xoxo Tory
Well where do I even start. Today has been one of the most powerful, yet devastating days out of all of my three trips. We were fortunate enough to have been taken on a personal tour of downtown Sao Paulo and definitely saw all of the ups and downs that this huge city has to offer. When I heard that Sao Paulo was home to 11 million, I couldn't even fathom how many people that was. We took an elevator up 32 stories and stood outside of the tallest building in the city. It felt like we were standing on top of the world, and for as far as I could see, and from all directions, tall sky scraper buildings, apartments, and homes filled every single empty space. Every little street was covered in people the size of ants, and the highways were bumper to bumper with cars, buses and trucks. I didn't understand what 11 million people looked like until I stood out in awe just staring at the city in front of me.
After we left the building (an old bank and now a memorial site for the city), Marcello and Thiago, our two contacts took us on an all day tour of the city that they both love so dearly. We learned about the history, and how far Brazil has come, but unfortunately by the looks of what I saw today, it still has a long long way to go. We walked through a huge cathedral, probably the most beautiful church I have ever seen. In the middle of the afternoon, the pews were filled with people crying and praying. Outside on the huge steps leading up to the church, were a few of the 11 thousand homeless people that call the city home. As we continued to walk, we learned about the corrupt government and how many of the decisions that are made in the huge parliament buildings that we saw, are made with only the rich in mind. Just outside of these influential buildings were people bathing and washing their clothes in a huge fountain, people sleeping on the sidewalks, seniors holding signs and begging for food and money, and what really hit home, a young couple sleeping and holding each other on the side of the road. So young, I am sure not much older than me, but just to think about the worries that they have every single day, and how they differ so greatly from my own was really really hard for me. It is just not fair! Why am I so lucky to be from such an amazing family, and have so many opportunities when there are so many people in this world who have absolutely nothing. A part of my felt really guilty for being responsible for bringing eight people to Brazil, each who paid so much money, when really that money could have gone to feeding so many people. I just kept reminding myself that us being here is doing more good than harm.
We made our way into a more dangerous part of town and ventured into the one road in the city commonly known as the "Crackolage" (The Land of the Crack). Just this past year the government declared a "clean-up" with the goal to get rid of as many addicts as possible. Marcello used the ananolgy of a tree with fruit. He explained that the governments idea of a clean-up was really only taking away the fruit, but until someone deals with the real roots of the tree, the real roots of the drug problems in Brazil, nothing is going to get better. As a part of the clean-up the government in Sao Paulo shipped away many of the addicts to other cities. Leaving them alone, and still reliant on crack-cocaine and other drugs. The police that now cover this street are enough to spread out anyone who remains to other cities in the area, but at night they all return, all homeless, and all in need of so much help. YWAM used to work closely with this population, but with the clean-up came rules and regulations making it difficult to help. All we could do today was walk through the streets, afraid of stepping on needles and glass, and sympathize with the people all around us using these awful drugs. Making eye-contact with these people really made me realize how they are human beings with a story, whose worth is just as great as my own. They are in need of so much help, and are so deeply trapped in a hole, that without help they will never be able to get out. Luckily for the the governments idea of help is shipping them farther away, out of sight out of mind I guess. Just disgusting!
Not far from the "crackolage" we ended our tour in a beautiful park, one of the only green spaces left in the entire city. Although green and beautiful, it was just as sad since this park is one of the of the only safe places for prostitution in the city. I learned today that this is another huge problem here. Both woman and men walked the park trying to support themselves or I am sure their babies and families back home, or waiting for them on a street corner. I can't even imagine having to prostitute myself in order to survive. My heart just ached for these people. Again I made contact with one of the young girls (or possibly a boy, its sometimes hard to tell) and put myself in her shoes. What if that were me? What if I felt that that was my only way to survive.
It may sounds terrible, and yes it was a really hard day and I am sitting here crying as I write this, but there is hope. Thiago and Marcello give me hope. They are two young men who have dedicated their lives to helping the ones who do not have a voice. The work that they do at YWAM has everything to do with helping these people who struggle so much every day. They give me hope that this place can only get better.
As sad as I am, and as devastated as a I feel for so many of the people in this country, I am a better person for seeing the things that I saw today. So many of these problems are going on in streets of our own, and it just reminded me that I can always do things to help, especially when I get home.
All of our other projects are going great. We began digging a soccer field and leveling it. It was so hard, and a job that would have been so easy with the right tools. Tomorrow we get to lay the grass on the field, and see the project that has been in the works for 5 years finally be finished. I cannot wait! The soccer camps are going great, and the kids look amazing in their new shorts, and jerseys! They are in the middle of a huge village tournament that we are helping run and ref. English classes are challenging and rewarding. They are slowly improving and today we helped set up a little store of gifts (all the donations that we brought) that the kids could buy with fake money that we made. They had to ask us in english how much the items cost, and have as much of a conversation with us as they could. They were so excited about all of their new school supplies and little toys!
All in all it is incredible here, and I learn so much everyday! I am missing you all like crazy and wish you were here! I could use some hugs!
Lots of love, and I hope all is well back home! See you soon
xoxo Tory
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day!!!
I just wanted to take a few seconds to wish all of the amazing women in my life a very Happy Mother's Day! Mama you are my best friend, and the most inspirational women that I know! I wish I could be there to spoil you rotten! I hope you are having a fantastic time with your family in Ontario. Wish Nana Betty and Nane Bev a Happy Mother's Day from me!
TT I hope you are feeling as special today as you are! I wish I could be there to give you a big Mother's Day hug and thank you for everything that you do for me!
Love you all! xoxo
Tory
TT I hope you are feeling as special today as you are! I wish I could be there to give you a big Mother's Day hug and thank you for everything that you do for me!
Love you all! xoxo
Tory
Friday, May 11, 2012
Highs and Lows
The last few days have been filled with many incredibly high moments, and some that have made me feel so low, and so guilty for being so fortunate. On our way to Sau Paulo the other day, a man came onto the train. He was sitting on a skateboard and when he moved towards me I realized that he did not have legs. He used a flip flop on one hand to protect his hand, and to allow himself to push the skateboard. He moved from person to person begging for money, and although I wanted to give this man every penny that I had, we were told not to. I just cant even imagine living life that way, and struggling every day not only to move but to survive.
The next day, we ran two soccer camps. There are so many kids in this community that half go to school in the morning and the other half go in the afternoon. Because of this, we run a morning camp and an afternoon one. We handed out soccer shorts to all of the kids, and they were ecstatic! They were so excited to run home with their new soccer shorts. On Saturday we are bringing the jerseys that were donated. We have enough to split the players into teams, and give each team their very own jersey. We are going to set up a tournament, and then a skills challenge and hand out medals that were donated from one of the families at the school that I taught at before I came. My soccer skills are slowly improving, and I even got an assit last game!!!
Yesterday we spent the day clearing out different areas around the base. The top of this hill was covered with thick brush that needed to be chopped down. This took us all day! A simple job that with the right tools back home could have been completed in ten minutes. The people at the base are hoping to create a garden to help feed some of the local people surrounding us!
We also spent several hours digging into the dirt soccer field that is just outside of the base. We were able to create two soccer nets, not great nets, but definitely better than what was there before! Seeing the kids so excited to shoot the ball at their new net made it all worth while. While we were working we had little ones flying kites all around us! It was a cool day and we were able to get a lot accomplished.
Today has been a tough one. We started off having a meeting with Thiago and learning more about the community and why it is the way it is. He explained to us that Francisco Morato is the second poorest commuinity in all of Sao Paulo and that many of the people who live here will never be able to leave. The YWAM base that we are staying at has several amazing projects on the go including the soccer camps, the English classes that we have been teaching, and helping local women start local businesses. One of their main goals however is to help boost the local peoples self-esteem, especially the parents of the children that we have been working with. Many of them have set similar goals for their kids that they have set for themselves, and the result of this will be many more generations living in poverty. Through building relationships, YWAM can help educate the parents about the importance of their children attending school on a regular basis, and continuing to work on their english skills. We spent the day today working on building those relationships by traveling around the community listening to the stories of many of the mothers of the kids who we are working with. The first woman we met has ten kids, and lost her husband three years ago due to alcoholism. Her house was made of mud and scrap pieces, and had three rooms. Two of which were covered in mattresses to give her kids some cushioning when they sleep on the floor every night. Coffee was the only thing that she was able to offer us, and we were incredibly grateful. Her cupboards and fridge were empty and her roof was covered in holes. She explained to us that she was unable to work, and because of that her three oldest children were forced to drop out of school and find jobs to help support their family. Three kids who want so badly to go to school and learn, cannot, it broke my heart.
The second lady that we visited was amazing. She asked all about our lives back home and what Canada was like. She told us how she lost her parents at a young age and was forced to fend for herself. She had 15 brothers and sisters but only 8 were still alive. I asked her what her hopes were for her kids futures and she completely broke down. It was devastating. She told me that she prays every night that her kids can have more than she can give them. She talked about her son who died from an accident at a young age and how she felt incredibly guilty for his death. The room was filled with tears, but she was so thankful to have so many people listening and really caring about her story.
Tomorrow we are making one more visit. We have been given information on the history of one of the little boys that we teach english too who is very shy. Four years ago his father was caught up in drugs and was in trouble with the drug dealers in the area. They killed him and left him on the front yard. This little guys mom has now abandoned him and his grandmother who has a drinking problem is trying her best to take care of him. I just want to bring this little boy back to Canada with me, and give him the chance at living a normal life. The way things are going for him, he will be doomed. It is so sad, but so important to realize that every person, no matter how they act or what they do, has a story. It is really easy to judge somebody, but I think this trip has really opened my eyes to trying to understand why people and kids are the way they are. This is a great lesson to bring into my future classroom with me.
We cooked dinner for the base last night, and it was awful!!!
That is all for now! Missing you all like crazy!
Lots of love xoxo
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
A Visit to the City of Sau Paulo
Hello everyone,
Like most days here, the past few have been busy ones. Even on our days off, we are helping with the chores around the base, and playing with all of the local kids. Sunday night we were invited to a church in another Sao Paulo community (I cant quite figure out the geography of this place. There seems to be about 1000 communities in Sao Paulo alone). Church in Brazil takes place at night, so thinking that we were going to need to leave around 6 we were all ready to go. At seven we actually left (time means nothing here, just like Uganda and Nepal). Panicking that we were going to be late, we made our way down a few dark paths towards a bus stop. Being cautious not to step on any tarantulas (yuck!) we almost missed the corral snake that was stretched out across the path. One of my interns almost stepped on it! Corral snakes are one of the most poisonous snakes in the world! That wasn't the only close encounter with an animal that day. I was sitting in the middle of the soccer field, just outside the base writing in my journal and looking over the community of Franchesco Morado when I heard people shouting my name. When I turned around I saw two horses galloping towards me! I am already afraid of horses but this really didn't help my fear. Luckily I was able to get out of their way, but it was scary! Back to our church adventure though, not really knowing where we were going we piled onto a bus, which drove about 150km/hour up and down huge hills and over pot holes. Buses do not stop for other cars or pedestrians, so we had a few close calls! The bus took us down town Franchesco Morado and we got on the train that runs through all of the major cities in Sao Paulo. An hour later, we arrived at the city where the church was, and were directed into two strange cars, where we had to pile on top of one another.
To avoid carjackings, or red light robberies, the cars do not stop at traffic lights, so our drivers just made their own rules of the road! It was an insane hour, and quite the trek to attend an hour church service!
Church like any other global trip was amazing. The service did not start until we arrived, even though we were an hour late! We were welcomes with hugs and kisses and I was asked to go up to the front and speak on behalf of the team. I was really nervous, but Thaigo was up there with me translating everything that I said into Portuguese. He also translated the entire service for us which was really nice. At the end they called up our entire team and had us stand in a semi-circle. The entire congregation raised their hands and prayed aloud for us! I think it was a really powerful moment for my team. People in so much need, and who need so many prayers themselves, praying for us! It was really great!
Today we had to get back on the train, and make our way to the city center of Sao Paulo. At times the streets almost seemed like we could have been in scary streets in downtown Calgary. Graffiti covers all of the walls, and around every corner their are people who have build homes out of scraps that they have found. Beyond all of the poverty and homelessness are huge business buildings, and shopping centers. It reminded be of the problems that are going on back home, that are just pushed aside.
There is a street downtown called the Crackolauge (The land of the Crack) that we will be going to later on this week. This is a street dedicated to individuals struggling with addictionswho are all pushed into a small corner of the city and ignored. We are going to hear their stories and serve them hot chocolate. One of the boys on our team is an addictions Councillor so I am really excited for him to be apart of this project!
I can hear the kiddies from the classroom! Time to go attempt to teach some more english!
Peace and love!
Ps- Do me a favour and say a little prayer tonight that we live in a country that is safe, and that we live in homes where there is food on the table, and roofs that do not leak! That is more than most people in Brazil can pray for!
xoxo
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Community Spa
Ola! We had a fantastic day today. The spa that we created was a huge success and seeing the faces of the woman from the community who had never been pampered was amazing. We were able to bring in a few local make up artists and hair dressers, so our job was to do nails, and take care of all of the little ones running around. I got my make up done, and it was hilarious. In brazil having big black eyebrows is beautiful, and forgetting that I was blond they colored in my hairbrows. I looked like a cross-dresser! One lady arrived with no teeth, and left with beautiful hair, makeup and nails. She looked gorgeous! We also had an impromptu dance lesson. The salsa and mamba are really popular in the Brazilian culture and my lack of booty and hips made it difficult to look good..
Thiago's English is fantastic, but when he is not around the language barrier is really difficult. I am surprised at how much Portuguese I am picking up.
We have met so many people from around the community and everyone is so so nice. We are slowly working on basic english with some of the older boys and they are picking it up faster than we realize. The YWAM base that we are working with and that organizes the soccer camps that we helping with has recently joined forces with another organization in Sao Paulo that works to scout talented soccer players that are from the poor rural communties. They have also been taking groups of the boys that we have been working with to see live soccer games. All of the kids are working so hard to improve their skills for when the scouts come and visit! This could be there way out, and we are able to play a roll in it! So exciting!
Off to the village to buy coffee!
xoxo
Bear
Thiago's English is fantastic, but when he is not around the language barrier is really difficult. I am surprised at how much Portuguese I am picking up.
We have met so many people from around the community and everyone is so so nice. We are slowly working on basic english with some of the older boys and they are picking it up faster than we realize. The YWAM base that we are working with and that organizes the soccer camps that we helping with has recently joined forces with another organization in Sao Paulo that works to scout talented soccer players that are from the poor rural communties. They have also been taking groups of the boys that we have been working with to see live soccer games. All of the kids are working so hard to improve their skills for when the scouts come and visit! This could be there way out, and we are able to play a roll in it! So exciting!
Off to the village to buy coffee!
xoxo
Bear
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Hello From Francisco Morato!
Hello friends and family!
We survived a 3 hour flight to Chicago, and another 9 hour flight to Sao Paulo. We we drove through Sao Paulo but to our surprise came directly to Franchsco Morado which is one of the poorest mountain communites in Sao Paulo. All of the homes are build from bricks, sticks, and whatever materials could be found and are built right into the hills. We spent 8 hours exploring the village today, and inviting the Moms of the community to come to the YWAM base (where we are living) on Saturday where we are going to host a spa party. We went and bought nail polish and hair supplies to give them all makeovers. They are alll really excited to get pampered. Mom I should have brought more Arbonne stuff :)
Thiago and is new wife Elen arre our contacts here along with many amazing people who work and live at the base. They have random village kids in and out all of the time, and are very repsected around the village for all of the amazing things that they do.
The soccer field where we are running camps is about a 15 minute walk away. We have to walk up and down a mountain and through peoples yards to get there. We had a Canada vs. Brazil match yesterday and got our butts kicked. All of the kids are amazing players, it is like a relgion here.
I just taught my first english class and it was out of control. There were only 5 kids and they were running wild. We worked on the basics and they can all introduce themselves now. They are really fun kids! They were more excited about teaching me Portuguese than learning english.
The poverty here is more than I can even put into words, but you do not even notice beaucse everyone is so happy. Two families invited us into their homes today because they were so proud of what they had. A roof over their head, beans on the table and a mattress for their kids to sleep in. We have so much, and still arent even close to living the happy lives that these people have!
That is all for now, miss everyone like crazy!!
Talk soon
xoxo Bear
We survived a 3 hour flight to Chicago, and another 9 hour flight to Sao Paulo. We we drove through Sao Paulo but to our surprise came directly to Franchsco Morado which is one of the poorest mountain communites in Sao Paulo. All of the homes are build from bricks, sticks, and whatever materials could be found and are built right into the hills. We spent 8 hours exploring the village today, and inviting the Moms of the community to come to the YWAM base (where we are living) on Saturday where we are going to host a spa party. We went and bought nail polish and hair supplies to give them all makeovers. They are alll really excited to get pampered. Mom I should have brought more Arbonne stuff :)
Thiago and is new wife Elen arre our contacts here along with many amazing people who work and live at the base. They have random village kids in and out all of the time, and are very repsected around the village for all of the amazing things that they do.
The soccer field where we are running camps is about a 15 minute walk away. We have to walk up and down a mountain and through peoples yards to get there. We had a Canada vs. Brazil match yesterday and got our butts kicked. All of the kids are amazing players, it is like a relgion here.
I just taught my first english class and it was out of control. There were only 5 kids and they were running wild. We worked on the basics and they can all introduce themselves now. They are really fun kids! They were more excited about teaching me Portuguese than learning english.
The poverty here is more than I can even put into words, but you do not even notice beaucse everyone is so happy. Two families invited us into their homes today because they were so proud of what they had. A roof over their head, beans on the table and a mattress for their kids to sleep in. We have so much, and still arent even close to living the happy lives that these people have!
That is all for now, miss everyone like crazy!!
Talk soon
xoxo Bear
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